Woodworm & Wood rot
What is Woodworm?
Woodworm refers to an infestation of wood-boring beetles feeding on the timber in your property. These beetles can include the common furniture beetle, death watch beetle, or wood-boring weevils. Key signs of infestation include small holes in the wood and piles of fine wood dust, but the damage often extends deeper into the timber.
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What Happens if Woodworm is Left Untreated?
If left untreated, woodworm can cause significant structural damage to your property as they continue to weaken the timber. The good news is that woodworm can be treated effectively. During our assessment, we’ll also determine if the infestation has caused any structural damage requiring repairs.
How Do You Treat Woodworm?
Accurate identification is essential to ensure the correct and effective treatment is applied, avoiding unnecessary costs. Our fully qualified surveyor will identify the infestation or reassure you if woodworm isn’t the issue.
If treatment is needed, we apply a highly effective, low-odour, water-based insecticide to affected timbers such as joists, wall plates, bearers, sub-floor timbers, and the underside of floorboards. To access underfloor voids, we may need to carefully lift some floorboards.
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How Long Will Treatment Take?
Most treatments take just a few hours to a day, depending on the severity of the infestation.
Thanks to our modern low-odour, low-toxicity methods, you and your pets can safely return home within hours after treatment is complete.
Differences between Dry Rot and Wet Rot
Without experience or training, it can be challenging to distinguish between dry rot and wet rot, as both cause timber to crack, soften, and develop fungus-like growth. However, there are key differences:
Wet Rot: Requires high moisture levels (around 50%) and is typically found near consistent moisture sources, such as leaking appliances, burst pipes, or window sills.
Dry Rot: Thrives with lower moisture levels (20-30%) and can spread across relatively dry timber under the right humidity conditions.
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Signs of Dry Rot and Wet Rot
Damp Smell: A distinctive musty, mushroom-like odour.
Spore Dust: Fine, brown dust accumulations indicate the presence of dry rot spores.
Hyphae: Greyish fungal strands that extract moisture from timber.
Mycelium: White, cotton wool-like fungal growth formed as hyphae combine and spread.
Timber Decay: Timber becomes discoloured, brittle, and cracks into cube-shaped
segments (cuboidal cracking).
Dry Rot Fungus: An orange, mushroom-like fruiting body often found in warm, damp, dark areas like under floorboards or within cavity walls.
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How to deal with wood Rot
Timely identification of dry rot is critical to minimising damage and cost. If detected early, treatment is less invasive and more affordable. Our dry rot treatment plan involves:
1. Removing Moisture Sources: Addressing leaks and improving ventilation to rapidly dry affected timber.
2. Applying Fungicides and Biocides: To eradicate existing fungi and prevent re-infestation.
3. Repairing Damage: Replacing decayed timber with pre-treated, rot-resistant wood.
4. Preventing Further Attacks: Implementing long-term solutions like enhanced ventilation and protective coatings.
Our team of experts will assess the extent of the damage and carry out the necessary remedial work to ensure your home is protected from future outbreaks.